Padlock



lOdi. 14, 1 S'EAY. JR PADLOCK Filed Feb. l0, 1941 w26/vine,

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Patented Oct. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PADLOCK James I. Seay, Jr., Memphis,` Tenn.

Application February 10, 1941, Serial No. 378,159

(Oli. 'Y0- 38) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in padlocks, and particularly to a body and shackle type padlock of key operated type, in which the shackle is constrained to automatically open when unlocked, and in which the key opening is transverse to the line of unlocking movement.

The objects of the invention are:

Primarily to provide a locking device which is diiiicult of operation with other than the complementary key.

To provide a body of laminated type which lends itself to simpliiication of assembly and construction and tends to reduction in cost; and

To provide a padlock having a key entrance at right angles to the axis of its assembling movement.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will readily be understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of the lock taken on the line I--I of Fig. 2.

Fig, 2 is a sectional plan taken on the line II-II of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 a similar plan taken on the line III-III of Fig. 1, with the key inserted and in initial position prior to unlocking movement.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the lock on a smaller scale.

Referring now to the drawing in which the various parts are indicated by numerals:

Il refers generally to the body of the lock which is made up of a plurality of plates or laminae II-A, II-B, etc. I3 is the shackle which has the usual long and short leg and is slidable in the direction of length of the legs toward and away from the body in suitable holes I5, I6 in the body.

Secured on the longer leg of the shackle adjacent its lower end is a collar I'I which is underlain by a compression spring I9 adapted to force the shackle outward and move the shorter leg outward to clear the top of the lock body, the collar I1 being slidable in an enlarged portion or bore IS-A of the hole I and movement of the collar being limited by the length of' this enlarged bore to prevent dislodgement of the shackle from the body.

The two legs of the shackle are provided with oppositely disposed notches adapted,V when the shackle is closed, to respectively receive locking bolts 2l and 22 which are slidably disposed in complementary openings in the laminae II-B,

II-C and Il-D, and are respectively connected i by pins 23, 24 with links 25, 26 and these links in turn are connected by pins 21, 28 with oppositely extending portions of an arm member 29. The arm member 2-3 is centrally apertured to embrace, and is disposed around and constrained to turn with, a post 3l which is suitably journailed in a central vertical opening formed in certain of the laminae as the laminae II-E, Il-F, IIJ-Gjand II-H. The post preferably has longitudinal grooves 3IA and the member 29 complementary integral lugs 29e-A engaging these grooves. Two grooves and lugs are shown, but only one of each need be used. Springs are used to returnrthe bolts 2! and 22 to locking position, these springs being hereshown as compression springs 32 which are interposed between the ends 0f the links 25, 2G and abutments formed in the lamina I I-C. v l

Rigidly secured on the post 3l is a plate 35 carrying a plurality of depending pins 31 which areY spaced at varying distances from the post and are rigidly secured in the plate. The plate underlies one of the laminae as thelamina I I-H, this lamina preventing upward movement of the plate and of the post to which it is secured.

The plate may be of circular form and is preferably provided with integral lugs conforming to the lugs 29-A of the member 29 and engageable with the grooves 3|-A of the post SI to insure proper positioning of the plate with reference to the post in addition to the other means necessary for rigidly securing it to the post. Lamina iI-J, underlying lamina II-I-I, is circularly apertured to receive the plate 35. `Underlying the lamina II-J, are laminae II-K and II-L, having identical central circular openings slightly smaller than the plate 35, the edge of the lamina I'I-K around its opening, underlying the periphery of the plate and preventing downward movement thereof. The plate 35 is of slightly less thickness than the lamina II-J in order that the plate may be freely turned in the annular groove provided by the just mentioned assembly of laminas.

39 is a guard plate, centrally aperturcd to slidably .embrace the post 3i, and having holes conforming in number and spacing to the pins 37, the holes being of size to loosely and slidably embrace the pins. The guard 39 may be proe vided with lugs conforming to the lugs 29-A and engageable with the grooves 3l-A of the post, or otherwise as desired. The guard 39 may be circular if desired, or of other shape, being in dicated as circular, in Fig. V3, about one-half being broken away in order that the underlying key may better be shown. The diameter and thickness of the circular guard, or the greatest diameter otherwise, is such that the guard may be readily turned in the openings in the laminae Il-K and ||L, and be moved freely upward or downward in such openings.

The guard 39 is supported by an underlying lamina Il-M, having a cut-away portion, as shown in Fig. 3, which comprises a semi-circular portion concentric with the post 3| and a portion extending laterally to the outer edge of the plate to provide a slot or opening 40 for insertion of a key 4|. The diameter of the semi-circular portion of the opening is slightly less than the diameter of the guard 39 in order that the lamina around the semi-circular hole may underlie theperipheral edge of the guard 39 and support same against dislodgement from the post 3| and the pins 31.

The lamina ||-L, in addition to the circular central opening, is also slotted, as shown in Fig. 3, to provide a shift slot 42 for the key.

The key 4| preferably has an arcuate end conforming in radius to the semi-circular portion of the opening in lamina |--M, so that the key in insertion may be centered and positioned. The key is provided with a central opening to receive the post, and also is provided with openings conforming in spacing and size to the pins 31 which depend from the plate 35.

The laminae preferably are secured together by rivets 43, but may be otherwise secured as by welding or brazingrif desired.

In assembling, the` bottom lamina II-H, and the laminae |l-M, II-L and II-K are assembled as in a jig and the guard placed n the opening in the laminae ||L and II-K, and supported by the lamina ll-M. The lamina li-J is placed, and the post 3| and attached plate 35 and assembly are placed with the depending pins entered in the holes of the guard 39 Vand the plate 35 supported by lamina ll-J and centered by lamina II-H. Laminae ll-G and H-F are then placed, lamina ll-G conning the plate against upward movement. The shackle spring I9 is dropped into the enlarged bore |5-A and the long leg of the shackle |1 also inserted in the bore and spring. Laminae II-D and Il-C are now threaded on the shackle and successively placed. The arm member 29 of the locking bolt assembly is placed over and slid to position on the post 3| with the bolts 2| and 22 in their respective lamina grooves, the springs 32 are disposed in the openings, or cut- |-D underlying the springs. Laminae ||B and I-A are then threaded on the shackle and moved into position, lamina ||B overlying the springs 32 and completing the sides of the guides for the locking bolts and lamina ||-A overlying the post and the bolts. The laminae are then secured together and into a unitary structure by the rivets 43.

In use the lock is fastened by pushing the shackle into place in usual manner, the springs 32 moving the bolts 2|, 22 to locking position.

To unlock, the key 4| is laterally inserted in the slot 49 of lamina II-M and moved inward till it seats The key is then lifted raising the guard 39 and engaging the pins 31 and the post 3| and is then shifted about the post as a center, through the pins 31 turning the plate 35 and post, and through the post'to which the plate is fastened, turning the arm member 29 to shift the links 25, 26, retract the .bolts and release the shackle I3 which is then shifted to open position by the spring I9.

It will be understood that the pin positioning, and if desired, pattern is varied from lock to lock and the key openings correspondingly positioned and patterned.

It will further be understood that the guard is here shown as acting solely by gravity, but that a spring or springs may be interposed between it and the overlying lamina if desired, though such springs are not here shown.

I claim:

1. A padlock, comprising a case having two Y shackle sockets, a shackle with its legs received in said sockets, each of said legs having a locking notch, means biased for locking engagement with said notches, and key operable means for effecting disengagement of said locking means from said notches, said 'case having a centrally disposed bore extending parallel with said sockets and closed at its ends, said locking and unlocking means including a post turnably mounted in said bore, and operably connected to said notch engagement means, a plate rigidly secured on said post and carrying a plurality of depending pins, a guard apertured to receive said pins and normally spaced from said plate to render end portions of said pins inaccessible, said guard being shiftable toward said plate to permit access to said pins, means preventing shifting of said plate and post axially along said bore, means limiting separation of said guard from said plate, and a key having openings complementary to said pins and their spacing, said casing being apertured transversely of said bore and below the level of said guard for insertion of said key, and slotted above said opening to permit shifting movement of said key axially of said bore to displace said guard and effect pin engagement, and to permit subsequent turning movement of said key about said post axis to effect post turning and unlocking shift of said notch engaging means.

2. A padlock, comprising a case having two shackle sockets, a shackle with its'legs received in said sockets, each of said legs having a locking notch, means biased for locking'engagement with said notches, and key operable means for effecting disengagement of said locking means from said notches; said case being formed from a plurality of laminae disposed substantially at right angles to said sockets, and secured together as by rivets, and having a centrally disposed bore extending parallel with said sockets and closed at its ends by laminae, said unlocking means including a post turnably mounted in said bore, a plate slightly under lamina thickness rigidly secured on said post and carrying a plurality of depending pins, a guard of substantially lamina thickness and smaller than said plate apertured to receive said pins and movably spaced from said plate to render end portions of said pins inaccessible, said guard being shiftable toward said plate to permit access to said pins, an intermediate said lamina being circularlyapertured around said post to turnably nest said plate, the next underlying pair of laminae being concentrically apertured to slidably and rotatably house said guard and underlie edge portions of said plate, the overlying and said underlying laminae preventing axial motion of said plate and post, and a fourth said lamina underlying said guard and limiting separation of said guard from said plate, and a key of slightly less than lamino thickness having openings complementary to said pins and their spacing, said fourth lamina being slotted for insertion of said key, and the lower Vof said pair of laminae being slotted to permit movement of said key axially of said bore to displace said guard and elect pin engagement, and chambered to permit subsequent turning movement of said key about said post axis to effect post turning and unlocking shift of said notch engaging means.

3. A padlock, comprising a case having two shackle sockets, a shackle with its legs received in said sockets, at least one of said legs having a locking notch, means biased for locking engagement with said notch, and key operable means for effecting disengagement of said locking means from said notches, said case being formed from a plurality of laminae secured together as by rivets, and having a centrally disposed bore extending parallel with said sockets and closed at its ends by laminae, said locking and unlocking means including a post turnably mounted in said bore, and abutting the overlying said bore closing lamina, a plate slightly under lamina thickness rigidly secured on said post and carrying a plurality of depending pins, a guard of substantially lamina thickness and smaller than said plate apertured to receive said pins and movably spaced from said plate to render end portions thereof inaccessible, said guard being shiftable toward said plate to permit access to said pins, an intermediate said lamina being centrally apertured to turnably nest said plate, the underlying pair of said laminae being centrally apertured to slidably and rotatably house said guard and underlie edge portions of said plate, preventing downward axial motion of said plate and post, and a fourth said lamina underlying said guard and limiting separation of said guard from said plate; and a key of slightly less than lamina thickness having openings complementary to said pins and their spacing, said post terminating above said fourth lamina and said lamina being slotted for insertion of said key, the lower lamina of said pair of laminae boing slotted and chambered to permit movement of said key axially of said bore to displace said guard and effect pin engagement, and to permit subsequent turning movement of said key about said post axis to effect post turning and unlocking shift of said notch engaging means.

4. A padlock, comprising a case having two shackle sockets, a shackle with its legs received in said sockets, at least one of said legs having a locking notch, means biased for locking engagement with said notch, and key operable means for effecting disengagement of said locking means from said notch, said case having a centrally disposed bore extending parallel with said sockets and closed at its ends, said locking and unlocking means including a post turnably mounted in said bore, a plate rigidly secured on said post and carrying a plurality of depending pins, a guard apertured to receive said pins and movably spaced from said plate to render end portions of said pins inaccessible, said guard being shiftable toward said plate to permit access to said pins, means forming part of said case preventing shifting of said plate and post axially along said bore, means limiting separation of said guard from said plate, and a key having openings complementary to said pins and their spacing, said casing being apertured transversely to said bore and below the level of said guard and the end of said post for insertion of said key, and slotted and chambered above said opening to permit shifting movement of said key axially upward of said bore to raise said guard and eiect pin engagement, and to permit subsequent turning movement of said key about said post axis to effect post turning and through said post unlocking shift of said notch engaging means.

JANlES I. SEAY, JR. 

